Fallball Check-In: Brown Bears

Brown faced their fall ball with an emphasis on regaining the "lacrosse intelligence" they lost to graduation. Coach Lars Tiffany and his squad seemingly has a uphill battle in front of them if they want to claim their third Ivy League Championships appearance in four years, given the graduation of seven seniors, including All-America honorable mention attackman Thomas Muldoon. Tiffany has brought in nine freshmen to fill the void, and is blunt about his desire for a few of his returners to step into leadership positions.

Fall Focus

Tiffany used his limited fall practice time to focus on developing his players, not focusing on the spring season.

"In the Ivy League, we're only allowed eleven practices in the fall, which is fine. It gives us a good balance," explained Tiffany. "We took the first three practices for try-outs, and we spent the last eight practices focusing on developing whole lacrosse players. In the fall, we're not nit-picky, we're not focusing on Xs and Os. We work on developing good lacrosse players across the field, and less on the system and exact plays. It gives us a good basis for the spring. We can get detailed in the spring."

Brown spent fall practices without injured senior captain Andrew Feinberg. Feinberg, an attackman, led the Bears in both goals (36), points (43) and shots (99) last season, leaving a giant hole on offense. Tiffany looked at Feinberg's absence as an opportunity to try out some new players on offense during their weekend scrimmage at Stony Brook.

"We're going to be a bit younger on offense, due to the number of seniors we lost," Tiffany said. "Losing the seniors and having Feinberg out let us go younger during our scrimmages this weekend. We're trying to replace a lot of intelligence, a lot of lacrosse experience, given what we lost to graduation."

Top Dogs

Tiffany was not shy in sharing that with Feinberg out and the graduation of such a valuable senior class, he's looking for many of his student-athletes to step up and become leaders on the field. Two impressed him in being up to the challenge during fall practices: senior midfielder David Hawley and junior attackman Parker Brown.

"We need David to grow into a more on-the-field general. He was a good role player for us last year, but he knows he has to step up and be vocal, and lead by example, and help lead his teammates."

"Parker Brown has been the main one to step up, recognize the absences, and fill in. He's become much more vocal on the field, and a real leader."

Brown also returns nearly its entire defense, including New England Rookie of the Year Roger Ferguson and All-Ivy second teamer Peter Fallon. "I am confident in our defense," a proud Tiffany said. "We have a good core returning, with a lot of lacrosse intelligence."

Tiffany also feels secure in the team's goaltending, speaking highly of senior netminder Matt Chriss. "We have a very good keeper in Matt Chriss, and he's been working hard."

Fresh Faces

Tiffany recently filled out his coaching staff with Scott Dalgliesh and Kip Turner, and both have made a big impact on the team right away.

"Scott brings us three years of college coaching experience," explained Tiffany about the former Lafayette and Marywood assistant. "We have seen him on the road recruiting for years, we've interacted with him for years. He has definitely earned a spot on our coaching staff. He brings energy and enthusiasm to our team."

Tiffany was very honest in his assessment of Major League Lacrosse goalie Turner, who has impressed the entire team already.

"I realize now how really lucky we are to have him," Tiffany reflected. "Kip has great insight with the men. And he is just a very, very caring guy. He cares about the men.

"Personally, I have really enjoyed getting to know Kip, and learning from his insight. He's a great co-worker, a great coach. He came into us with no coaching experience, but a lot of playing experience. But he's dedicated. (Coaching) is what he wants to do, and he wants to learn and do a lot with this opportunity."

Key Battles

Sophomore Johnny DePeters has moved to midfield after an iffy freshmen year at attack, and the change seems to be working.

"He's showing signs of offensive power, and showing us he has the ability to score goals," evaluated Tiffany after fall practices concluded. "Switching him from attack to midfield, and getting him to focus more on the middle of the field, it's working. He's off to a better start than his slow freshmen season."

Making a case for significant time at attack is freshman attackman Sam Hurster, who surprised Tiffany with his fall ball performance. "He's doing a nice job. He's showing a lot of lacrosse intelligence for a player from an emerging lacrosse market like St. Louis."